Commanders have top target in mind for head coach job?

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A Washington Commanders helmet on the bench against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders have hired a new general manager, and they may have a top target in mind for their next head coach.

Washington on Friday hired former San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters to run their football department.

NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo said on Friday that the team will now look toward hiring a new head coach. Garafolo says that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is “firmly in play” for the job.

The expected hire all the way through. Peters will now work to tab the next #Commanders coach, with #Lions OC Ben Johnson firmly in play. https://t.co/LC6T9VdmfK

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 12, 2024

CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones also mentioned Johnson in conjunction with the Commanders.

Keep a close eye on Lions OC Ben Johnson for the Commanders job. He's a wanted man with requests from the Panthers, Falcons, Chargers and Titans as well. He can interview virtually with Washington as early as Tuesday.

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 12, 2024

Johnson is a desirable head coach candidate. The 37-year-old is in his second season as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. Detroit ranked No. 5 in the league in points and No. 3 in yards. The team ranked No. 5 and No. 4 in the same categories in 2022.

The Commanders went 4-13 this season and fired Ron Rivera as their head coach. They have a new ownership group in charge of the team that is turning things around. Washington will also have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft.